The Washington Commanders have a pressing need at quarterback, and their former head coach, Ron Rivera, chimed in on who they should get with the No. 2 pick of this summer’s NFL Draft.
When ESPN’s Adam Schefter questioned Rivera on NFL Live on Wednesday, he mentioned Jayden Daniels, who just finished a fantastic season at LSU, as the player the Washington Commanders should draft.
“Well, Jayden Daniels, because everybody expects Caleb Williams to go first,” said Rivera. “So to me, if this is the style of offense you’re going to have, you’ve got to have that type of quarterback.”
Ron Rivera’s take is based on the style of football the Washington Commanders will play under their new offensive coordinator, Kliff Kingsbury. He said Kingsbury needs a mobile quarterback, so Daniels fits the bill.
“The big thing more than anything else that you have to look at is the style of offense they’re going to run,” said the former Washington Commanders head coach. “You’ve got Kliff Kingsbury, a guy that likes the mobile quarterback—a quarterback that can move in the pocket – that can make the plays when they’re downfield and throw the football. I think the big thing is you’ve got to have a mobile quarterback.”
Why the Washington Commanders should be excited about drafting Jayden Daniels
The ideal scenario for the Washington Commanders is for Caleb Williams to fall onto their lap come draft night, but that’s unlikely. However, Jayden Daniels is by no means chopped liver.
Daniels is coming off a spectacular 2023 campaign in which he won the Heisman Trophy, AP College Football Player of the Year, and SEC Offensive Player of the Year, among others. He managed to record 3,812 passing yards, 40 touchdowns, and only four interceptions for a 72.2 completion percentage. Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards for an additional 10 touchdowns.
The only concern for Daniels is his rather slender build, but Ron Rivera believes that Daniels could withstand the rigors of the NFL.
“Not necessarily because he is a big guy, he’s going to add a little bit of weight,” Rivera said. “I think he’s the kind of guy that will fit what Kliff Kingsbury wants to do.”